Question: If I test COVID positive on pre-departure...
Jul 3, 2022, 10:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,187
or, rebook and pay the then-current points or $ cost
//unpopular option: isolate and avoid all risk for 10 days prior to departure to rule out a positive test
Jul 3, 2022, 10:15 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: BGI (ex-YYC, YYZ)
Programs: AC*G-E100K (once again)
Posts: 1,701
Depends when you booked your ticket. Your change fee may be waived or you may have to pay for a change fee.
This also depends if COVID tests are still required in September.
See https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...ovid-19.html#/
This also depends if COVID tests are still required in September.
See https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...ovid-19.html#/
Jul 3, 2022, 10:17 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 22
For sure it will depend on whether Korea still requires it or not.
Any pointers on where to look for this type of travel insurance that will cover this?
The standard Allianz $2/day I inquired about is only for emergency health situations when I am out of country.
I'm not paying the new cost lol... the ticket I got for 75,000 points is showing $7,000+ on Google Flights.
Any pointers on where to look for this type of travel insurance that will cover this?
The standard Allianz $2/day I inquired about is only for emergency health situations when I am out of country.
I'm not paying the new cost lol... the ticket I got for 75,000 points is showing $7,000+ on Google Flights.
Jul 4, 2022, 3:16 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,725
Sadly, this may mean losing out on an attractively-priced business-class flight, even with a 14-day delay, so as Expert7700K said, this would be a good reason to be particularly careful in your pre-departure window.
Jul 4, 2022, 3:36 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 1,502
I concur with the "isolate prior to travel" plan. I know that's not always feasible, but that's been our strategy prior to recent travel—do our best to avoid situations in which we could be exposed. At the very least, reduce risk as much as possible. That's especially the case when the trip is not easily moved or replaced. (Like our upcoming trip where we got a large quantity of very well-priced seats to a dream destination.)
But if you do test positive, you don't have great options beyond modifying your booking and paying the difference.
I don't think you'll easily find insurance that will cover this. The great majority of trip insurance excludes COVID.
But if you do test positive, you don't have great options beyond modifying your booking and paying the difference.
I don't think you'll easily find insurance that will cover this. The great majority of trip insurance excludes COVID.
Jul 4, 2022, 6:31 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2021
Programs: AP AS BA
Posts: 363
In Canada, Goose insurance offers "pandemic insurance" and covers cancellation/ change fees due to COVID. But it must be purchased at the time you buy your tickets
Jul 4, 2022, 7:34 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,396
TD Insurance also offers trip cancellation insurance which does not exclude Covid. It isn't cheap (roughly 5% of the value you want to insure), and I have no idea how they would handle points, but that may be an option.
Jul 4, 2022, 8:07 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,626
Jul 4, 2022, 9:28 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reno, NV
Programs: NFY, AA EXP, Marriott TE
Posts: 516
If you are completely asymptomatic, I would consider a retest. Although rare, false positives happen - especially if your test was the typical antigen test and not PCR.
I know this because it happened to me. At some locations I work, we're tested every other day, and a BinaxNow test showed positive. We repeated the test twice more on the spot, both negative, as well as the PCR test that followed.
As a data point, I have an annual plan through AIG that covers covid. Although in this case I'm not sure what the plan would cover, $$-wise.
All the best, James
I know this because it happened to me. At some locations I work, we're tested every other day, and a BinaxNow test showed positive. We repeated the test twice more on the spot, both negative, as well as the PCR test that followed.
I concur with the "isolate prior to travel" plan. I know that's not always feasible, but that's been our strategy prior to recent travel—do our best to avoid situations in which we could be exposed. At the very least, reduce risk as much as possible. That's especially the case when the trip is not easily moved or replaced. (Like our upcoming trip where we got a large quantity of very well-priced seats to a dream destination.)
But if you do test positive, you don't have great options beyond modifying your booking and paying the difference.
I don't think you'll easily find insurance that will cover this. The great majority of trip insurance excludes COVID.
But if you do test positive, you don't have great options beyond modifying your booking and paying the difference.
I don't think you'll easily find insurance that will cover this. The great majority of trip insurance excludes COVID.
All the best, James
Jul 8, 2022, 11:02 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 49
award ticket refund - COVID
I booked a one way Aeroplan award ticket, operated by a *A partner, as part of a larger trip. I can't take this trip since I tested positive for COVID recently. I have a test report.
Is there a way I can get the Aeroplan award refund fee waived? From Aeroplan's perspective, the test date and the one way flight date are about 10 days apart. (The outbound flight was booked separately - not through AC/Aeroplan - and departs within a few days of the test date.)
Thank you for any advice.
Is there a way I can get the Aeroplan award refund fee waived? From Aeroplan's perspective, the test date and the one way flight date are about 10 days apart. (The outbound flight was booked separately - not through AC/Aeroplan - and departs within a few days of the test date.)
Thank you for any advice.